Trip Overview

Got five days to spare? They won’t be wasted in Iceland. It’s an inimitable adventure playground of a country. Think otherworldly glaciers, waterfalls, geysers and volcanoes. Yours to explore as extremely as you dare. But it’s not all glacial escapades: this Icelandic adventure gets to know capricious Reykjavik, where you’ll mingle with the locals, try their local dishes, and sample their stellar beer. And with any luck, you’ll tick the Northern Lights off your bucket list.

At a Glance

Four nights in comfortable en suite hotels

Airport transfers

Trip Highlights

Hike over glaciers in all the gear

Whizz across volcanic landscapes on an ATV (think quad bike but sturdier)

Soothe your soul in a steaming natural hot creek, gazing up in the search for Northern Lights

Is This Trip for You?

You don’t need to have a high level of fitness, but this is an active trip

You’ll need a driving licence for the ATV

Min group size:

6

Max group size:

16

Itinerary

Land Only

Start City:

Reykjavic

End City:

Reykjavic

Land Only Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in Reykjavik in time for burgers and beers downtown

Once you arrive in Reykjavik, you’ll share a bus transfer to your hotel, Fosshotel Baron. This evening, it’s a ten-minute stroll to eat and drink at Bastard, a downtown restaurant that brews their beer on-site. Try the beer flight to sample all four blends. Feast on a Fat Bastard (that’s a seriously massive burger with all the trimmings) or a Skinny Bastard if you’re feeling more virtuous. Hey, we’re not judging.

Meals included:

Dinner

Day 2

Relax in the steaming geothermal baths

Prepare to unwind today. You’ll spend some time at the Krauma geothermal baths. There’s a cold bath to get your circulation firing, but five warm ones to soothe achy limbs. Pure. Utter. Bliss.

You’ll hit the road next, heading to a fishing village to climb to the top of a lighthouse for panoramic views. Bring your walking shoes for a 6km hike to the Eldborg Crater. Then it’s on to a secret waterfall.

You’ll dine at your hotel in Reykholt tonight. This is the town where Snorri Sturluson lived, a medieval chronicler of Norse sagas and histories and his influence can still be felt around Reykholt.

In the winter, the mood darkens with unpredictable weather, bringing a captivating moodiness to Iceland. It'll be dark, and that means the Northern Lights may appear. Your leader will be on the lookout but don't forget to glance up just in case…

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 3

See waterfalls and geysers then soak in a wild creek

It’s a busy day today, but you’re used to a packed schedule, right? You’ll venture further into Iceland today, first visiting the Thingvellir National Park. The Thingvellir plain is in on the boundary where the Eurasian and American tectonic plates are pulling away from each other, creating dramatic rivers and fissures across the landscape.

Next, you’ll see Geysir, known as the original hot water geyser which gave all the others their name. You’ll look over a valley of eerie blue pools and mud pots, then continue to Gullfoss on the Hvita River to see a two-tiered waterfall cascading into a canyon. The waterfall may be partially frozen, testament to the brutal climate this country endures in its darkest months.

At Fridheimar Greenhouse, you’ll see how they grow Mediterranean vegetables in the Icelandic climate using clean geothermal energy. This is where you’ll stop to eat, sampling their home-grown tomatoes.

Dinner is served at Olverk Pizzeria and Brewery tonight. You’ll get a tour and tasting before feasting on delicious pizza and sinking a well-earned G&T, poured over 500-year-old glacier ice.

Later, you’ll take a midnight dip in the Reykjadalur Hot Creek – it’ll be a welcome cocoon of warmth again the brutal winter weather. If you’re lucky, the Northern Lights will emerge.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 4

Adventure over glaciers, rev an ATV to discover a plane wreck

Today you’ll hunt down two of Iceland’s spectacular waterfalls: Skogarfoss and Kvernufoss. You can get up close and personal, standing near the bottom to appreciate their thunder, or climb the steps to the top.

Fully kitted out with crampons, an ice axe and helmet, you’ll unleash your inner adventurer on a glacier walk. The adventure continues on an ATV tour. It’s similar to a quad bike, and you’ll drive it over black volcanic sand to the abandoned wreck of a 1973 US Navy plane. Tonight, you’ll dine alongside the locals in a Reykjavik restaurant.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 5

Soak and soothe in the extraordinary Blue Lagoon, before returning home rested

It's a relaxed start today. You’ll head to the exquisite Blue Lagoon for a day of silica mud masks and relaxing in the milky-blue, mineral-rich waters, before taking an afternoon flight back to London (with enviably silky skin!).

Meals included:

Breakfast

Accommodation

Hotels

Fosshotel Baron

A historic hotel which stands prominently in the heart of Reykjavík, near the seafront and a short walk from Reykjavik's harbour, shops and attractions. Rooms with wifi, en suite, coffee and tea facilities.

Fosshotel Reykolt

Fosshotel Reykholt is a romantic country hotel in the legendary setting of Reykholt in Borgarfjörður. Once the home of historian and poet Snorri Sturluson, Reykholt is one of Iceland's major historic sites. Bounteous in captivating scenery the area is full of lava fields, waterfalls, mountains, craters and caves. Rooms are en suite, free wi fi, good facilities.

Hotel Ork

In heveragerdi – a town in a very active geothermal area, so has a hot tub and geothermal sauna. Clean modern hotel, en suite rooms with wifi.

Where a solo room is available, paying for a solo room only guarantees a room for single use. It does not always mean a twin or double room will be provided for solo occupancy.

Please note that a member of the group may be allocated a solo room by default if the make-up of the group means there isn’t anyone for them to share with. Paying the supplement in advance is the only way to guarantee a solo room.

Solo supplements cannot be refunded retrospectively.

Food & Transport

Eating & Drinking

All breakfasts and one dinner included. Veggie friendly.

Joining Instructions

Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.

Transfers Details

Exodus Edits provide outbound airport arrival transfers using the Flybus service. This is a regular shuttle service available to all flights arriving at Keflavik airport and has multiple drop off points, including our start hotel.

Our departure transfer uses a private minibus, and goes via the Blue Lagoon, which is scheduled for our last morning.

We know that the unexpected can happen. Your plane may get delayed, or things just don’t go to plan. If you miss your tour departure, check with the hotel to see if your tour leader has left you a message with details of how to catch up with your group. If not, call our emergency number (you will find it on the final joining instructions) and our team will help you. Don’t forget that you are responsible for any extra travelling expenses incurred if you miss your tour departure.

Final joining instructions

Full joining instructions, including local emergency numbers, will be sent to you at least 2 weeks before departure. If you don’t receive them or need them earlier, please contact our team who will be happy to help.

Flights

Remember, flights aren’t automatically included in your trip. If you’d like the Exodus Edits team to help you find some good options, give us a call on 020 8772 3837.

What to Take

Essential Equipment

Waterproof trousers are very useful

Balaclava or scarf

Extra thick gloves

Water bottle and thermos flask

Swimsuit and towel

Good quality waterproof jacket

We encounter differing terrain on this trip at all times of year. 3 or 3-4 season waterproof walking boots with semi-rigid soles, and good ankle support are best overall.

A tripod to photograph the Northern Lights

A small daypack to carry essentials

Practical Information

Passport

Iceland

All nationalities require a full passport that must be valid beyond the intended length of stay. It is your responsibility to have the correct personal documents and to obtain your own visa, if one is necessary, in accordance with the regulations of the country you are to visit. The information below is primarily for UK passport holders, and other nationalities should check with their travel agent or the relevant embassies. We are not responsible for the actions of local immigration and customs officials, whether at points of entry or otherwise, and any subsequent effects.

Visa

Iceland

No visa required for British passport holders.

Visa regulations can change without notice: please check the current regulations in good time to obtain a visa if one is required.

Vaccination

Iceland

There are no specific health risks.

Travel health can often be something people forget about before going away, but a little preparation and knowledge can go a long way to help you stay fit and healthy while abroad.

The above information can change at short notice; as we are not qualified to answer all your questions about travel health we strongly recommend you contact your Medical Professional or a Travel Health Clinic at least 8 weeks prior to departure for up-to-date information. Please note: vaccinations that are routinely recommended to residents of the UK, North America or Australasia are not considered to form part of the travel health advice, and you should ensure these are kept up to date where necessary.

Local Time

Electricity

Money

Iceland's Currency

The national currency of Iceland is the Iceland Krona (ISK), with an exchange rate at the time of publication (January 2019) of approximately 156 to the GBP, 121 to the USD, 91 to the CAD, 138 to the EUR, 87 to the AUD and 82 to the NZD.

Responsible Tourism

Tourism can be a real help to local communities, providing income, positive cultural exchanges and a financial incentive to protect their natural environment. Ours is a 'total approach' to responsible tourism, covering everything from the way we plan and operate our trips to the practices of Exodus as a company.

Each time you book an adventure with Edits, we’ll contribute £15 to the Inspiration Project. That’s enough money to fund a day trip for a local child. Since 2017, our guides have been taking disadvantaged children to see their country’s famous sights and you’ll help us do this more in 2020.

Exodus Community

Join the Exodus online community

Don't forget to visit the Community area on our website. You can view the range of Exodus videos and podcasts, read trip write-ups which have featured in the national media and take advantage of some special deals on travel gear and equipment.

In the Community Travel Forum you'll find the Departure Lounge where you can discuss your trip with fellow travellers before you depart. When you get back from your holiday remember to upload your images to the relevant trip page on our website. This helps other people see what our holidays are really like and you'll be entered automatically into our monthly photo competition.

To make full use of the Community you'll need to join My Exodus. It's free, registration is simple and easy, so what are you waiting for?

Important Information

On all guided trips

Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely partake in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity.

Although rarely enforced, by booking this trip you agree to section 14 of our Booking Conditions which clearly states that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these circumstances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred.

On all trips

In booking this trip you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability you should call the Exodus office and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary.

In an emergency, please contact our 24 hour out of hours service on +44 (0) 844 326 7041.

Every time that you travel abroad you should take the time to read the warnings in the essential information in the brochure.

Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers, and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately 2 to 3 weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.

The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; in order to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, as stated in our brochure, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons - climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.

As fuel prices, airport taxes and exchange rates fluctuate, and airlines manage their rates to match demand, it is proving harder than ever to guarantee our Flight Inclusive prices. Although we endeavour to keep our website as accurate as possible, daily fluctuations mean that our Flight Inclusive price may be out of date. For accurate prices we recommend that you contact one of our Travel Experts, or your Travel Agent.

TRAVEL AWARE – STAY SAFE & HEALTHY ABROAD

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the NHS have up-to-date advice on staying safe and healthy abroad. For more on security, local laws, plus passport and visa information, see https://travelaware.campaign.gov.uk/

How to Book

You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days.

3. Complete your booking and payment

When you're ready to book, go to our website for online bookings, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque. Book with confidence: Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582 issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA ‐ The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all monies paid to us for your trip are fully protected.

TRIP NOTE VALIDITY

These Trip Notes are valid from the "Current as" date on page one. They will occasionally be updated post booking and pre-departure; if there are any updates that significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary bookers will be written to separately. All customers will also receive a link to the most up-to-date version of the Trip Notes with their Final Joining Instructions pre-travel.